Family: Costaceae

Genus: Costus

Species: Comosus

General Description: Red Flower Ginger's stalk grows in spirals that resemble bamboo. The canes are long and this plant like to grow in clumps. It has broad light green leaves that appear to hover over other smaller plants.

The flower emerges from the top of the cane. The powerful beauty of this plant is its bright red conical shaped flower that has the appearance of beeswax. This bloom shows up in spring and can remain on the plant for nine months. After each cone develops, several bright yellow flowers peek out from under the cone.

Location: Red Flower Ginger finds its home in the rainforests of Costa Rica, and now is a favorite patio or potted plant throughout the modern world.

Uses: Red Flower Ginger is a rainforest plant that has many uses in tribal and herbal medicine, both historically and today. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is used as a general tonic and systemic stimulant; in particular it is prescribed for the treatment of abdominal gas and pain, pain from liver disease and jaundice, gall bladder pain, constipation, and asthma. It also stimulates the appetite has antiseptic properties.

The value of this plant is also recognized in South East Asia and Tibet. Tribal Suriname herbalists extract a substance from the stem and use it to treat gonorrhea, the common cold and eye ailments.

In centuries old Tibetan medicine, the root is used to treat abdominal gas, irregular menses, asthma and other pulmonary disorders, and some kinds of muscle diseases. The oil of Red Flower Ginger is used to treat rheumatism. Some believe the essential oil slows the process of hair turning gray.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Mandarich

Family: Rhizophoraceae

Genus: Rhizophora

Species: mangle

Common name: red mangrove, mangrove

General Description and Location: The Red mangrove is a tree incredibly important to tropical and subtropical coastlines. It naturally stabilizes coastal mudflats and helps reduce erosion. In addition, it is a feeding and breeding ground for fish, juvenile fish, shellfish, birds and coastal wildlife. There are a number of mangrove species, but the Red mangrove is the most common and widespread.

Red mangrove is found on the water-ward side of mangrove swamps, protecting the ecosystem from heavy waves and erosion. As a result, Red mangrove is one of the most ecologically important woody plants on the planet. These small trees are pummeled by tides daily, but their vine-like roots absorb air through pores, and are thus well-suited for their home.

Uses: These salt-tolerant shrubs and trees are also used in a variety of medicinal treatments. Red mangrove is a traditional tribal remedy for angina, asthma, boils, diarrhea, dysentery, eye ailments, fever, hemorrhage, inflammation, jaundice, leprosy, sores, sore throat, and wounds. In addition, Red mangrove is a tree used in production of charcoal.

These swamps are productive natural communities, providing vital sources of energy for wildlife. The vegetation is low and dense, a forest of small trees emerging in saltwater, tideland flats along tropical and subtropical coastlines. Mangrove forest ecosystems have been seriously affected by the hurricanes which have devastated the Florida Everglades in this century.

The world's tropical and sub-tropical coastlines are dominated by these swamps, being distributed much like coral reefs. With changes wrought by global warming, these swamps and the important ecosystem support they provide are in peril.

Disclaimer: The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Any reference to medicinal use is not intended to treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Mandarich